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Pocock Banned
By PETER JENKINS
February 01, 2006
ONE of Australia's brightest rugby talents is banned from playing Super 14 - because the world governing body says he's too young.
Teen sensation David Pocock, an Australian Schoolboys flanker signed by the Western Force, has been caught out by a regulation that prevents anyone under the age of 18 playing at the senior level.
According to Force chief executive Peter O'Meara, Zimbabwe-born Pocock has the "build of Adonis" at 181cm and 99kg. Rugby league legend Steve Roach, who followed the Schoolboys tour through Europe last year to watch his son Daniel in action, claims Pocock was the standout of the trip.
At 17, and with his birthday not until April 23, Pocock is ineligible for provincial or even club football until the last three weeks of Super 14.
But his case is in the spotlight after the Force defied an order from the Australian Rugby Union and played Pocock in a pre-season trial.
The ARU confirmed last night an inquiry was under way.
The rookie, who is signed to an Academy contract with the Perth-based franchise, was given 20 minutes against South African side the Cheetahs last week.
An ARU spokesman said there was a chance the Force could have funds withheld - a fine by any other name - over their decision to play the under-age star.
"We advised them he couldn't play," an ARU spokesman said last night.
"It's an (International Rugby Board) regulation and is ARU board policy. There's a bit of paper that says they can't do it."
But Pocock, whose father was flown from Brisbane to Perth by the Force to sign a waiver, last night defended his cameo.
O'Meara also vowed the Force would now toe the line over a regulation brought in only last year to ban boys from playing against men. In the NRL, players can be selected at 16 years of age.
"I loved every minute of it," said Pocock. "When I was on the field I didn't feel intimidated at all. If you're good enough you're old enough.
"Peter (O'Meara) and (coach) John Mitchell made it clear it was up to me if I wanted to play, and I was keen.
"It's just disappointing I won't have the chance to push for a (Super 14) spot this year. But I'll get stuck into training and prepare myself for next season."
O'Meara admitted the Force were aware of the IRB ruling but were never planning to thumb their noses at rugby bosses by playing Pocock in the series proper.
He also asked for leniency over trialling a youngster who has been on a high-performance program with the ARU for the past two years and is already touted as a future Wallaby.
"Because of the age regulation, we want to bring him through the under 19s and under 21s this year and then cut him loose next season," said O'Meara.
"But I think we need to look at this issue.
"(The regulation) is there to basically protect the interests of younger men who are not part of a professional organisation and are involved perhaps in (social or club) rugby. We have to accept there will be exceptions to the rule.
"Over the past 20 years, I haven't seen too many players of the same age who have had this lad's physical maturity. He's an exceptional athlete.
"The first guy who ran at him the other night was cut in half," O'Meara said.